Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-04-10


with cheers.
"When are we to start? 1 hunger for
action. My hearts in arms and eager for
the fry, as the fellow said when he smelt
the eels a-cookln!" cried the poetic Mr..
Spicer.
"SOon as we can-stay in, all of you.
I've a little errand to do, and I'll be back
and lay my plans. Aud mind, boys, no
drinking now-we can make big haul if
we keep sober and work the game up
right"
"We'll be as sober as expectant heirs
before the will is read!" said Mr.. Spicer.
"Paul is here" SAID Captain Jack NAL
erson to Ada McAlpin, as he entered her
room q short time after he left his
men. 'He has come here to break OF
with you"
"Ehsn he has come to die!" said Ada,
while her fine eyes flashed angrily.
Not so fast, my beauty-not so fast. l
came to caution you about that very
thing, for 1 know the grit that is in you,
and you'll stick at nothing if you're once
rousedi l am going to fix matters in
better way. I'll put that girl out Of his
way, if you'll be easy with him"
"Will you-oh, bless you, will your"
cried Ada, Clasping his bands.
eyes, girl, yes. l will tx her so that
he'd as soon marry ComanChe squaw as
| hern"
ooh, how shall trust your"
| "YOu'u trust me because I'm his father,
and l like you well enough to have you
for daughter"
81 will trust you," she said.
Chats right. But now, Ada, don't
you tell him of this second visit, though
he knows of the first; and whatever you
may hear about the DeIormes, keep it to
yourself"
81 promise that. But is the girl whom
! ne wishes to marry Delorme?"
eyes, her name is Stella Delorme-but
l dare no. stay here longer. rs l expect
Paul will be along soon. All! there he
comes down the street. l must slip out
by the back door as he comes in at the
'front.'"
Ada gave her visitor directions how to
leave the house unseen; and few
moments after he left Paul entered.
CHAPTER XIV.
When Paul entered, Ada, as she usually
did, bounded to his arms and imprinted &
flood of kisses upon his lips. He gently,
but rather coldly, returned her teryent
caresses, and then led her back to the
sofa from which she had sprung.
"Sit down, dear Ada" said he. 81
want to talk to you"
az am all ears; 90 on, dear Paul." she
said, retaining his hand in hers.
He seemed at o loss whist to say, for
the subject that was uppermOst in his
ind on
"Well, Paul, what is it? Why do you
not tell NE what you wished to say?"
said Ada, smiling at ms embarrassment.
81 am-very poor, Ada!" said Paul at
last, with hesitation In tone as well as
manner.
"And, therefore, quite criminal in the
eyes Of the world, yet not in mine. But
am sorry for you, Paul. What can l do
for you? I'm not very rich in this
worlds goods, but the treasury of my
affection is full and Overf0Wing!"
ada, you are good girl. You know
that love yOu!"
| "Once | thought you did, Paul. But
now l know you do not. You are now
rscking your brain for plausible excuse
10 cast me off. But you cannot tiud one
you cannot find one! You say that
you are pOOr-What of that? Have |
asked you for money? My love cannot
be measured by bars of gold, and bars Of
iron cannot impris0n it,"
Paul trembled with emotion, but was
silent.
"Why do you not reply to me, Paul ?"
continued Ada. "Come, l will give you
theme for conversation. Suppose we
speak of Stella Delormer'
'Heavens! do you know her ?"
GAS well as 1 wish to- She is very
pretty. Paul. Do you love her ?"
"No, Ada, no; as God is my judge, 1
do not! But am poor, and she is an
heiress!"
"And so you tip up the pleasure cup of
love, and fl it with gold-bitter, indi-
gestible gold."
"Oh, Ada; do not know what to do!
do love you; but you need comforts,
luxuries, which while [ am penniless,
cannot give to you! Let me marry her;
let her have my hand while you retain my
heart"
"Paul Malerson!" CRED Ada, while her
color rose and her eyes flashed, "do not
destroy all my dream! Do not change
my love into hate; for your own sake do
not! Do not make me despise you! Do
you think that could let you come lille
gally to my arms while you are legally
bound to another? No! Paul MalersOn,
do not taunt and insult me-"
"Ada! Ada! L do not know what to
dol"
"Be iust-be just to yourself and that
will be Justice to me! / did not seek you
out. l was content when you found me.
l ask no other lot. But in you l thought
that had found a young, pure, fresh
heart, untainted by the corrupting at
mospherc of the world! loved you, hid
away, and kept myself alOOf from the
world for your sake And this-this is
my reward! Farewell-Paul Malerson,
fareWell!"
And as she spoke she drew q dagger
from her bosom and raised il above her
breast. Her cheek was CHASTITY pale-she
was breathless, and every nerve was iced
into tirmness-a moment more and that
bright steel had opened deaths pathway
to her heart. But Paul caught her hand
ere it descended, wrested the dagger away
and threw 1t through the window beyond
her reach.
"Ada-Ads, would you destroy your
self" he cried.
eyes, soul aud body" she gasped, and
sunk fainting into his arms.
"This is loYe-I cannot give her up"
ne muttered, as he laid her gently down
upon the sofa, and fastened to call her
maid to aid IN her recovery.
CHAPTER XIV.
Two weeks are, when counted of into
hours by the tongue of joy, but brief,
very brief brealhs of time! Yet, If
i 1sr,l,, 90 a.